I took a break this week from the pain and horror of our current world.
On Wednesday I went out on my beloved electric bike, on one of my favourite rides.
It goes through the plague village of Eyam, five and a half miles away. Do you know the history of Eyam? In 1665 the plague arrived from London via fleas in a bolt of cloth brought by a tailor, and 260 villagers died as a result. This is estimated to be about a third of the population. But the remarkable thing about Eyam is that the vicar, Rev. Mompesson, persuaded the villagers to completely isolate themselves and the village from surrounding towns and villages, to keep the plague from spreading. They did this, and they contained the plague.
There is a tiny museum there which documents the history, and the cottages where the plague began have signs outside.
If you’ve never been, the village is worth a visit. I find the history of the villagers’ sacrifice very moving, and I’m rereading a fictionalised account called Year of Wonders, written by the Pulitzer prize winning author, Geraldine Brooks. It’s a wonderful book.
When I got back from the bike ride, Chrissie came for lunch in the garden and we caught up on all the things old friends have to catch up on. No names, no pack drill.
Yesterday Dave and I walked down the Trail to Hassop Station for breakfast. I haven’t seen any bacon in weeks, so that was a treat.
Neither of us much like the coffee there, but we do like the walk and we do like the chat.
When we got back we played table tennis on the back lawn - another treat. Although our table tennis table is out all summer, we don’t play as often as I’d like, because Dave takes his game seriously and 4 out of 5 days at Hepworth Towers, there is a wind, so he won’t play. I play for fun and wind doesn’t stop me. This week with the heat wave we’ve had some blessedly still, quiet days and he’s had no excuse.
After that I worked on a painting, and at 4 o clock decided to go for a walk. Dave was in the bath after a bike ride. I walked two minutes along our lane and was met by a mountain of foliage head height, completely blocking the lane. I wish I’d taken a photo then! A huge branch, 18 inches in diameter and strangled by ivy, had broken off a large tree and fallen across the road and over the opposite wall.
I knew Dave would want to know, so I rushed back and told him and he jumped out of the bath, pulled on some clothes, grabbed his chain saw from the shed and got to work. Meanwhile, I telephoned the farmer, and left him a voicemail. It turned out he was on holiday and his manager was unavailable.
The pictures show Dave after half an hour’s work.
Today I’m having my monthly picnic with Liz.
It’s been a lovely week here. I wish it was lovely elsewhere.
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